It was only natural that commercial truck chassis were the platform for construction of early woodies. After all, their principle purpose was to transport goods and passengers - and the more, the better. These were the vehicles most likely to be found in service by country clubs, lodges, hotels, inns, merchants and schools.

In step with their automotive counterpart, open bodies gave way to removable tops, then to fixed roofs. Roll-up canvas curtains with flexible isinglass windows yielded to glass panes. The truck based wooden wagon became more civilized, yet maintained its rugged go-anywhere capabilities. These were the wooden predecessors to today's modern sports utility vehicle.